The Fodder Plant Seed (Scotland) Regulations 2005

Methods of use of dynamic spear samplers, stick samplers, cargo samplers and seed stream samplers S

19.  The methods of using the instruments described in paragraph 17 shall be as follows–

(a) Dynamic spear sampler

Dynamic spear samplers may be used in one of two ways depending on their length–

(i) Method 1

in the case of a dynamic spear sampler in which the aperture reaches only to the centre of the sack or small container–

(aa) the instrument shall be inserted into the sack in an upward direction at an angle of approximately 30º to the horizontal with its aperture downwards until the aperture reaches the centre of the sack or container;

(bb) the instrument shall be lightly tapped to remove any seed taken in and then rotated to bring the aperture uppermost;

(cc) the instrument shall be withdrawn immediately with a vibratory or oscillatory motion and at a decreasing speed so that the quantity of seed and any other particles obtained from successive locations increases progressively from the centre to the side of the sack; and

(dd) seed and any other particles passing through the instrument shall be collected in a clean container.

(ii) Method 2

in the case of a dynamic spear sampler in which the aperture reaches to the far side of a sack or small container–

(aa) the instrument shall be inserted in the manner described in sub-paragraph (i)(aa) until its aperture reaches almost to the far side of the sack or container;

(bb) the instrument shall be tapped and rotated in the manner described in sub-paragraph (i)(bb) and then withdrawn at a uniform speed; and

(cc) the seed and any other particles passing through the instrument shall be collected in a clean container;

(b) Stick samplers

The method of using a single chamber type stick sampler and the method of using a multi chamber type stick sampler are as follows–

(i) Single chamber type stick sampler

in the case of a single chamber type stick sampler–

(aa) the sleeve shall move freely;

(bb) the instrument shall be inserted vertically downwards until the aperture reaches the appropriate primary sampling position ensuring that the sleeve covers the aperture as it enters the seed lot;

(cc) the instrument shall be withdrawn sufficiently to uncover the aperture;

(dd) the instrument shall be left in position until the primary sample has been collected; and

(ee) the instrument shall be withdrawn and the contents emptied into a clean container;

(ii) Multi-chamber type stick sampler

in the case of a multi chamber type stick sampler–

(aa) the apertures shall be closed before insertion;

(bb) the instrument shall be inserted diagonally into sacks or vertically into large containers so that all apertures are fully covered;

(cc) the apertures shall be opened;

(dd) the instrument shall be agitated so that seed and any other particles enter the chambers;

(ee) the apertures shall be closed gently to ensure that trapped seed and any other particles are not broken or damaged;

(ff) the instrument shall be withdrawn and if the chambers are full the contents shall be emptied onto a clean surface or into a clean container; and

(gg) if all the chambers are not full, the contents shall be discarded and the procedures specified in sub-paragraphs (ii)(aa) to (ff) shall be repeated;

(c) Cargo samplers

in the case of a cargo sampler–

(i) the lid shall open and close easily;

(ii) the instrument shall be inserted with the lid closed to the appropriate primary sampling position which shall be at least 300 millimetres below the surface of the seed lot;

(iii) the handle shall be raised sufficiently to open the lid;

(iv) the instrument shall be left in position until the primary sample has been collected;

(v) the instrument shall be withdrawn and the contents shall be emptied into a clean container; and

(vi) if all the chambers are not full, the contents shall be discarded and the procedures specified in sub-paragraph (c)(i) to (v) shall be repeated; and

(d) Seed stream sampler

In the case of a seed stream sampler, the instrument shall take the number of primary samples necessary for the weight of seed lot being sampled, the primary samples being taken from the seed lot at regular intervals and the resultant composite sample being of a weight not less than the minimum weight prescribed in paragraph 26 of Part II of this Schedule and not greater than can conveniently be reduced by means of one of the methods of sample reduction specified in paragraphs 21 and 22. They shall be installed in such a way that the composite sample can be readily identified with the seed lot from which it was taken.

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 5 para. 19 in force at 1.7.2005, see reg. 1(1)